Industry Buzz & Snippets: 12/18/08

Ad platform Panache is delivering its billionth in-video ad this month. Ad insertions rose 850% from 2007, Panache said, due to an increase in major networks and entertainment firms moving premium content to the 'net.

Hawaii.com has joined the Travel Ad Network. It serves 3 million unique visitors per month. A "most popular deals" section, and online newsletter keep advertisers sated.

AOL's Platform-A has expanded to Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden — broadening its reach to 160 million online users in Europe.

Agencies and Marketing Execs:

OrangeSoda was tapped by Re/Max of New Jersey for SEO.

Founder Reid Hoffman is reprising his CEO role at LinkedIn. (He departed in early 2007.) Dan Nye, whom he now replaces, will leave the company in January.

Jerome Patterson joins Acorn Systems as Chief Marketing Officer.

Biz Buzz:

Steve Jobs will not be keynoting next month's Macworld speech. He's keynoted the annual event for over a decade. The news sent the tech industry into stock-volatile speculations about his health.

Mobile:

Apple's been asked to end its exclusive carrier relationship with Orange SA in France. The liaison was thought to be a "serious and immediate threat" to competition in the mobile and telecom sector. Other carriers expect to be able to sell the phone in the near future.

Major record labels, including EMI, Universal and Warner, are finally beginning to beef up their online presence and reach out to music downloaders (as opposed to just letting third-parties, like iTunes, vend their wares).